"Be patient with Simeone, he's outspoken and always seems to be a bit upset with you. But don't change your style of play, show what you've got because you're a genius." Flippe Luis said to Renan Lodi.
In July 2019, the former hero returned to his native Brazil, where a new style of play made it difficult for him to adapt for a while. For him, the defense must be rigorous, the passing must be precise, and it was as if he had returned to his childhood. He embraces this land of samba warmly and broadly.
The legendary Atletico Madrid left back brought fans not only domestic and European trophies, but also a generation of defensive memories. With Godin, Juanfran, Saviola composed of the back line, they are no longer cold names, but written on paper history, leading the "small" team Atletico Madrid twice into the Champions League final.
Lamentations and sighs filled the air between fans and media as Freipe Luiz faced his departure press conference. As the crowd reveled in the past, a subtle voice carried a question, "Do you know anything about the Brazilian countryman who will take over your left back position? Will he be able to adapt to Atletico's system?"
Freipe Luis didn't hesitate and gave an answer that shocked many journalists, "I believe he will be the best left back in Atletico Madrid's history, he's strong, young, willing to learn, and most importantly he has a humble heart and is willing to learn from any deficiencies and strengthen himself. He has everything Atletico need."
He was Renan Lodi, who was 19 years old that year and led his hometown team Atletico Parana to win the Copa Libertadores of South America.
"I'm very happy to be here and to join such a big club. I'm also very happy to work with Diego Simeone, who is one of the best coaches in the world." Renan Lodi said.
Behind the scenic transfer is a cliff like the edge of paradise.
The nightmare began silently. Anyone who knows Simeone knows that during the first training session, you will be in awe of the "God of Atletico Madrid". The sheer volume of training, coupled with the harsh hissing during training, made many of the young players doubt their lives on their first day at Atletico, with Luciano Vietto and Bernard Mensah ending their first "real" soccer training session by "vomiting".
But Lodi accepted the challenge of this new team without question, fearlessly completing all the drills and, as Flippe Luis said of him, retaining a humble heart to learn.
Instead of complaining to his teammates, Lodi silently completed his post-training wash. Completing this training quietly gave Simone, the strict teacher, full knowledge that the new apprentice could accept such a training pattern. This somewhat inspired Cholo to want to communicate with Lodi.
The pre-season training match was the first time that Simeone finally had the opportunity to impart his footballing philosophy, coaching Lodi one-on-one for the first time on what he needed to improve. This is not a privilege that all players get, only those who need to find a niche in the team and want to pursue improvement more than anything else are allowed to enter the lounge to discuss with Simeone on multiple occasions. It's truly amazing that first-timer Lodi was given this opportunity all of a sudden.
"You'll play soccer and you'll be starting." Diego Simeone said.
In addition to preseason preparations, Simone coached Lodi on his defensive deficiencies. The last sentence almost overwhelmed Lodi. You'll be the starting left back for the start of the 19/20 season!
Hands clenched, time passes, the reason for trembling, is joy, is nervous, has long been blended into one. Standing in the room Lodi completely did not expect that he would so soon take over the flag left behind by his predecessor, that is the Brazilian left Atletico Madrid's defense glory, Lodi completely unable to imagine that he will soon have to carry this flag.
The alternative Madrid derby saw Atletico Madrid take on Getafe in Wanda's home opener. It was a day full of mixed feelings, as they lost their five-year goal-scoring ace Griezmann, and although they welcomed billion-dollar starlet Joao Felix, the apparent difficulty in scoring didn't just affect the mood of the team, but the players on the pitch were equally at a loss for words.
But no more disenchanted, all of them than Lodi's disillusionment.
In the 41st minute of the match, a flying tackle to block an attack got Lodi a direct yellow card from the referee. Unexpectedly, Getafe's free kick was kicked out, and Lodi slapped his hand on Damian Suarez's face in the process of blocking, and the latter immediately fell to the ground in pain. No doubt, the referee immediately showed a second yellow card to Lodi, two yellows turned into one red, and Lodi's debut didn't even have a chance to wrap up the game.
